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 MHA's
Mission
 Who
are we?
The Mental Health Association of New York City
is a private, not for profit, voluntary organization concerned with
all aspects of mental illness and mental health. Through the support
of thousands of individuals and family members, foundation grants
and government contracts, MHA works to change attitudes about
mental illnesses, to improve services for children and adults with
psychiatric disabilities, and to promote mental health in the community
through its direct service programs.
What
do we do?
With statistics reporting an unprecedented one in every five people
in need of mental health care during their lives, many families
and individuals in New York City will need MHA services.
MHA advocates for better mental health programs with city,
state and federal legislative and governmental agencies.
MHA mobilizes support for the mental health movement,
current programs, needed legislation, new services and the rights
of persons with mental illnesses.
MHA educates the public about mental illness, its signs,
symptoms and treatment.
MHA promotes recognition that individuals who experience
mental illness can, and do recover and that they can then serve
as advocates for others.
MHA develops culturally relevant and innovative direct
service programs to fill gaps in the community.
What
programs do we offer?
 Advocacy
MHA advocates for individuals whose needs are not met by
existing services.
By serving on task forces and advisory boards, giving public testimony
and influencing public and regulatory bodies, MHA
also advocates on a systems level to ensure that:
- State and City budgets for mental health are adequate
- Planning and service models are responsive to the needs of
individuals with mental illnesses
- New forms of service are initiated and implemented
- Mental health services are accessible to all and offer a full
range of care options
MHA's advocacy efforts have led to the development of:
- Mobile crisis intervention teams
- New crisis service for young adults
- A much needed children's hospital
- A therapeutic nursery for mentally ill mothers and their young
children
For more information, view the page about MHA's Advocacy
efforts.
Public
Information and Education
MHA seeks to educate the community through:
- An aggressive program of public education to reduce stigma
and promote mental health in the community and in the workplace.
- Training of mental health agency and human service staffs in
new technologies
and skills to better identify and serve emerging populations with
mental health
needs, i.e., those with substance abuse problems, AIDS/HIV, the
homeless
mentally ill and children in foster care.
- Public awareness campaigns that educate people about mental
illnesses and their warning signs and treatments
For more information, view the page about our Public
Information and Education services.
The MHA of NYC is proud to participate in the Outreach Partnership Program of the National Institute of Mental Health.
Visit the NIMH Outreach Partnership Program for more information.
Direct
Services to Individuals and Families
MHA offers many innovative and vital direct services that
fill the gaps in the existing system and meet critical needs not
otherwise being met.
An information, referral and consultation network staffed by
trained social
workers who:
- Respond to phone calls for assistance
- Direct individuals to the correct agencies and practitioners
- Serve as liaison and advocates for clients to other human service
systems
- Facilitate access to mental health care
For more information about this service, contact LifeNet
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